Download PGN of November '06 1 d4 d5 games
Queen's Gambit Accepted [D20-29]
Karakehajov - Thesing: In reply to Black's rare opening choice White came up with an interesting and rather risky approach. He sent his knight far into his opponent's trap but in return obtained a formidable pawn center:
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After numerous mutual mistakes it was eventually Black who dropped the whole point, but White's opening idea still looks rather promising.
Marshall Gambit [D31]
Gajewski - Kempinski: As a rule, in reply to the positional 9. Bd6 it is rather risky for Black to capture the second pawn on g2 but recently he did it quite successfully:
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White did not have real chances to get an advantage in this game, or in the other encounters either, so it looks like Black has found a good option against one of the most promising White lines.
Moscow Variation [D43]
Agrest - Vallejo Pons: A principled battle between two Anti-Moscow Gambit experts. White pushed hard but failed to find sufficient compensation for the sacrificed rook. However, at one point he could even have got the better chances thanks to his 3 connected and far advanced passed pawns, but it was only because of his opponent's mistake.
Pashikian - Deepan Chakkravarthy: In a very sharp line Black introduced a novelty, which was proved dubious by very energetic play. Nevertheless, White's approach has already been demonstrated by Evgeny Agrest so he just had to follow the right course for opening the central files, not counting the material. Black's play made White's task easier and White developed a strong initiative without any real sacrifices.
Radjabov - Anand: In their rapid match Teimour Radjabov and Vishy Anand had a theoretical discussion in one of the Anti-Moscow Gambit lines that has been popular recently:
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In both games Anand's position looked very risky but in fact he was always fine and the score speaks for itself - 2-0 in Black's favour! In this battle we probably witnessed very deep opening preparation - White played very logically but soon found himself under pressure...
Radjabov - Anand: In order to secure his king Anand sacrificed a piece but got 3 strong pawns for it. In the middlegame Radjabov failed to find good work for his extra knight and eventually found himself under pressure. White's position was defendable but a lack of time played the decisive role...
Timoscenko - Pavasovic: Recently Black came up with a pawn push which may force White to pay attention to earlier alternatives, 12...b4!?:
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White's score is just disastrous in this line - 4 losses and one win, but even that was from a rather inferior position!
Botvinnik Variation [D44]
Werle - Shabalov: The side line played here has recently gained in popularity. In this game Black almost equalised but then became too ambitious and eventually found himself unable to stop White's K-side pawn avalanche.
Van Wely - Agrest: This principled dispute in a deep side line ended in White's favour. It was once again proved that the bishop is better than the knight in positions with passed pawns on both flanks.
Ruslan
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